The University of Hawai'i football team bid a final farewell to its senior class yesterday, weeks after the expected end of the 2004 season.

UH's Abraham Elimimian loses the ball on this return of a blocked extra point. Elimimian, who was trying to score two points on the return, fumbled the ball into the end zone. Chad Kapanui recovered the ball, but was ruled out of the end zone, denying a score.

Eugene Tanner  The Honolulu Advertiser

The class of 2000 compiled a 36-17 record and made three bowl appearances over the last four years, but it was the four wins to close this season that might have been the most memorable.

"It feels good," senior cornerback Abraham Elimimian said. "There's no better way that we could have drawn it up."

Hawai'i fans prepared to say aloha to the seniors with a festive Senior Night against Michigan State on Dec. 4. But the team found a way to make the season last one more game, defeating the Spartans, 41-38, to become bowl eligible.

"Nobody believed in us, but we made it through," senior linebacker Chad Kapanui said. "Having an extra game meant a lot for us."

Yesterday, the Warriors finally said good-bye to their 25 seniors, including six starters on offense and five on defense.

"I'm gonna miss all the playmakers. I mean Abraham, Lui (Fuga), all those guys, the list goes on and on," Hawai'i secondary coach Rich Miano said. "How are you gonna replace all those guys? But you have to reload eventually, and there's talent there."